Iarnród Éireann staff refused to assist tourism operator

A Mayo tourism operator with a shoulder injury who sought assistance in transporting four large suitcases on the long walk to Platform 7 at Heuston Station, which is the departure point for the Dublin to Westport train, was told that staff could not help her due to trade union rules.

Louisburgh councillor Chris Maxwell highlighted the case at the recent meeting of Westport Belmullet Municipal District, telling the forum that Catherine O’Grady Powers, owner of Glenkeen Sheep Farm in West Mayo, had been in China promoting Irish tourism and returned home with a shoulder injury following a fall.

"Everything was done to help her at the airport in China. She had four massive suitcases full of promotional material and her own luggage. She flew into Dublin Airport, no problem, got a taxi to Heuston Station, and there was no trolley for luggage there. She had prebooked a wheelchair and after the taximan helped to get her luggage into the station, she still had to get it from there down to the Westport train.

“She went up to the Irish Rail office and asked for assistance and was told by the girl at the counter she was not allowed to use the wheelchair for the luggage. Four Iarnród Éireann workers were sitting in the office while she was talking, but she was getting no assistance and asked to talk to the supervisor. He was one of the four sitting there and when she asked him could she get help with her luggage down to the platform, she was told, they do not handle luggage. Apart from the fact they knew she was injured, there was not even chivalry there from the men employed by Iarnród Éireann and that is a sad reflection.

“Here we are, trying to promote Ireland to the best of our ability. This was not good enough and it is saddening she was left there with an injury after being out in China promoting Ireland, yet her own people here would not help her."

Cllr Maxwell said the staff in the bar at the station stepped in, along with some other people, to assist Ms O'Grady Powers.

“All I can say is fair play to the them. I think Westport-Belmullet Municipal District should write to Iarnród Éireann about this because it is not good enough. The woman was doing her best to promote Ireland abroad, but nobody would help her when she needed help at home.” 

Cllr Brendan Mulroy supported the call, stating that while the Westport train is a fantastic service, the long walk to Platform 7 in Heuston Station is really hard, especially for elderly people and those with special needs. 

“It is a hard slog and you are always rushing to get it and for years and years it is the people of Mayo who have to walk the longest way. At a previous meeting, an Iarnród Éireann official told us he would take this issue on board and also the lack of a cup of tea on the train, but nothing has happened. Figures show that 750,000 people use the Westport-Dublin train over a year, which is massive figures.

“It is not our job to be running Iarnród Éireann In today’s society, whether you are in a union or not, if someone’s in trouble you help them.” 

Cllr Gerry Coyle said he was stunned to hear about the case, adding: “I can’t understand why there is not even a vending machine on the train.” 

Cllr John O’Malley added: “You can’t even get a cup of tea and a bun and it’s a long journey from Westport to Dublin. As for Platform 7, you would need a bicycle to get down to the end of it, it’s such a long walk.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.